The ecosystem approach and the search for an objective and content for the concept of holistic ocean governance

Kirk, E.A.ORCID: 0000-0002-2195-7608,
2015.
The ecosystem approach and the search for an objective and content for the concept of holistic ocean governance.
Ocean Development & International Law, 46 (1), pp. 33-49.
ISSN 0090-8320

Abstract

Although the need for holistic ocean governance has been widely accepted and although some efforts to implement it have been made, there is still a significant lack of understanding or agreement as to its content, or primary objective(s). While both principled and process based approaches have been proposed as providing possible objectives or content for the holistic approach, both have flaws. In this paper an approach that combines both principle and process - the ecosystem approach is assessed and the degree to which it can provide and does already provide such content and objective(s) is explored.